I've hit a wall in my diamond search - please help!!

[jcl725]

Hi Everyone,

I've been searching for an engagement ring diamond for about two months now and I've hit a wall. I've been working with a local jewerler and searching diamonds on several of the vendors recommended on PS - WF, JA, GOG, BGD and BN. Unfortunately, I've had no luck so far.

My jeweler has shown me several diamonds that looked very promising on the lab report, but I was disappointed when I saw them in person. Maybe I'm being too picky, but this is a HUGE purchase for me so I feel like I should be very picky. Unfortunately, time is now running out. I have to buy a ring in the next week in order to get it in time for an upcoming vacation, which is when I plan to propose. Therefore, I can't "gamble" anymore with another ring that looks great on paper only to be disappointed - I need a diamond that has been verified by someone to look amazing in person!

For these reasons, I've decided that my best option is to go with one of the "premium" diamonds from one of the online vendors. Namely, a WF ACA or Expert Selection, JA True Hearts, GOG optimal symmetry diamond, BGD H&A, or BN Signature Ideal. I feel like this is my only choice, but please let me know if you have other recommendations.

I've done a search on these sites with my criteria of:

Cut: "premium" diamond for that site for the reasons above
Weight: ~2.3ct
Color: F or better (I have compared diamonds in person and was sensitive to the color difference)
Clarity: VS2 or better (diamond must be "eye clean")
Flourescence: None or slight
Price: ~$35k

Unfortunately, the results were pretty limited:

JA: none
GOG: none
BGD: none
BN 1: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01849532
Bn 2: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01663681
WF 1: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-1466922.htm
WF 2: (this is a G but I've included in here) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2329036.htm

Using a very critical eye, of these diamonds, how do these diamonds look? Which one would you recommend? The WF #1 is the most expensive - is it worth the extra money? Aside from these diamonds, do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

 

[yssie]

Would add hpd to that list - their Infinity stones most certainly qualify as premium diamonds
www.highperformancediamonds.com

The two WFs look v nice, the BNs could be beautiful.

My question is what about the stones you've seen did you not like? If they were "promising" by the lab report but disappointing in person, there could be two issues to address -
A) They were specimens whose reports successfully hid flaws (unlikely if AGS0 w/ the DQD)
B) Your eyes may prefer a different look to the usual "ideal" proportions touted here on PS - have you seen some well-cut 60/60 types in person?

 

[jcl725]

Thanks for the quick reply! I just did a search on HPD and didn't get any returns that match my criteria.

Since I'm not a diamond expert, I can only hypothesize, but the diamonds may not have met my expectations for several reasons:

- Several of the diamonds were EGL certified (all were EGL ideal H&A cuts) so there might have been some "inflation"
- Several of the diamonds had low table% (e.g. 55%) or high depth% (e.g.62.2%) or both. I'm guessing the proportions weren't perfect, although I did use HCA for most and they all were under 2.0.

Other than that, I'm not sure. I have not seen a diamond close to 60/60 in person. Unfortunately, I no longer have the luxury of time, so I can't rely on what's on paper anymore. I need to go with a diamond that has been verified to be amazing!

So now, I'm scared I'm running out of time and I really don't want to pick the wrong diamond or overspend. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[yssie]

Fair enough.

I honestly think you are the perfect candidate for a boutique branded stone - you're in a hurry, you want a stone that's guaranteed to be beautiful, and you don't mind paying a premium for that guarantee and ease of service.

Go with one of the WF stones. It will be stunning, and if by chance you don't love it you will know as an absolute fact that you prefer a different "type" of stone, w/ different proportions than the general crowd-pleasers most H&As are cut to (and that both those stones exemplify)

 

[slg47]

ditto what yssie said-I would go with one of the cherrypicked WF stones because you are guaranteed to get a good performer.

have you looked at some videos of superideal rounds? that might help determine if that is what you are looking for or if you prefer a different make of stone...

http://www.vimeo.com/7105789
http://www.vimeo.com/11540668

 

[Stephan]

You could request a picture for this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1328173.asp

 

[jcl725]

slg47 - yup, that's what I'm looking for! I want a diamond that really shines.

I don't mind paying a premium for a branded/premium diamond as long as it's worth it. I know "value" is subjective, but for me there is some value in knowing I will be getting a great diamond. However, it's not worth paying thousands more than I should, but I don't know what other option I have at this point. So if you think I can get a similarly amazing diamond by not going with a premium branded diamond, please let me know how as I would love to get the most bang for the buck (who doesn't).

One option is to ask some of these vendors to bring in a diamond or two that isn't currently in-house (i asked WF and they can only bring in one diamond at a time) as QueenMum suggested, but do you think I can find a diamond that is on par with the in-house premium diamonds?

 

[Stephan]

Like always at JA, the diamond I suggested will probably be in house, they just didn't take a picture of it.
Well that's my guess but I4m pretty sure of it!
We are talking about a lot of money here, take your time!

 

[rosetta]

I would not rush this purchase to make the vacation date. But if you absolutely must, go with a premium branded stone. It's your safest bet.

 

[stone-cold11]

Check with NiceIce for this. Might be sold already as it is no longer in the inventory of HPD but could also be that NiceIce bought it as their in-house stone.
http://www.niceice.com/display_diamond_details_round.php?id=2e3#

Most JA stones are around in NYC where they could get hold of it immediately to take an image of it and have their gemologist take a look at it.

The first BN Signature Ideal seems to have some slight leakage.

EDT;
This JA stone looks good too, since you are also looking at G.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1307906.asp

 

[risingsun]

Buy WF#1 and call it a day. It is one of their top tier stones, graded AGS0 and will be stunning. If, for any reason you are unhappy with this beauty, send it back. It does sound like the diamond you are looking for.

ETA: I really hope that you are the person who placed this diamond on reserve!

 

[MarkBroumand]

but do you think I can find a diamond that is on par with the in-house premium diamonds?

You can, but as the Beatles said best...it's gonna take time...a whole lotta precious time...to do what's right!

 

[risingsun]

but do you think I can find a diamond that is on par with the in-house premium diamonds?

You can, but as the Beatles said best...it's gonna take time...a whole lotta precious time...to do what's right!

+1!

 

[yssie]

but do you think I can find a diamond that is on par with the in-house premium diamonds?

You can, but as the Beatles said best...it's gonna take time...a whole lotta precious time...to do what's right!

+1!

Agreed.

One can certainly find diamonds as beautiful as in-house diamonds, BUT this is definitely not something to rush. And the odds of getting a virtual stone with perfect hearts are - well, ain't gonna happen while you're waiting, so if that is important to you you most likely don't have much choice.

 

[jcl725]

Thanks everyone for the help. Based on the feedback, I've decided to focus on the in-house premium diamonds.

It looks like I have 2 options. The first is the White Flash I previously listed and the second is a BGD Signature.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-1466922.htm
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040391440002

The BGD will be about $3500 more. Do you think it's a superior diamond? Or am I looking at 2 amazing diamonds here and I will basically be splitting hairs in choosing one over another.

I need to make a decision this weekend so I appreciate your help!!!

 

[stone-cold11]

Both look good, price difference is mainly due to the better clarity grade.

 

[bright&shiny]

Its tough when your criteria don't match the inventory! Have you contacted Jonathan at GOG? He might be able to source something for you quickly. I personally don't think it is ever "worth it" to buy a branded stone - unless time is the priority. Then it is useful to complete the mission, but the value, in my eyes, ends there.

Good luck! Post pics of your purchase!